Sorry this took so long. It's the end of the school year, and I'm pretty sure all the teacher get together and say 'let's assign some big projects all at the same time.' This one is a bit shorter than normal, but it's cute.
What remained of the group that attacked the orcs rode to Helm's Deep, and when they arrived, Nira found an abandoned tower and began to sing. Even though few understood what she sang, most stopped to listen. Legolas found her and watched her sing, until she fell quiet.
"Did I do Aragorn justice?" She asked quietly. "You knew him better than I did."
She turned and looked at Legolas as he answered, "Yes, it was perfect."
He pulled her against him, and kissed her. They sat down, but were quiet. Nira played with Legolas' hand absently, enjoying his company.
"Did you ever meet my mother?" she asked quietly after a long silence.
"Yes," he replied. "You are a lot like her. She liked me, I would like to think, much more than your father. I want to say she would have approved of our marriage, but I don't know for sure."
"What was she like?"
"A lot like you," he told her. "She loved to ride horses. She was beautiful, powerful, and witty."
"Galadriel said she was somewhat a coward."
"I wouldn't know. I only knew her in times of peace, which she enjoyed. She hated fighting."
"Am I any different than I was before?"
"You are just as stubborn, courageous to the point of stupidity, beautiful, entertaining, and strong as you were before. And even more in some of them."
"I want to get married again, to say we are married, not carried over from my past life."
"You will find no argument from me. We should wait until after this war is over."
"As you wish, my Legolas."
They sat there together through the night and into the next day. When they did rejoin the world of Helm's Deep, they were avoided by most. Nira looked out over what would soon be the battlefield to see a horse and rider entering the gate. She hit Legolas repeatedly in the arm, until he looked at the man.
"Aragorn survived," she whispered in awe.
"He is very lucky," Legolas said smiling.
Nira and Legolas stood in front of Aragorn, stopping him.
"You're late," Legolas said, grinning, before looking Aragorn over. "You look terrible."
He handed Aragorn his Evenstar pendent, as Nira began to fuss over Aragorn's injuries. She healed his shoulder and various other injuries.
"Anywhere else?" she asked, worried.
"No," Aragorn assured her. "Thank you. I'm fine."
"Good."
She punched him in the arm. He winced at the pain.
"Never do that to us again," she growled at him. "Do you have any idea what it's been like without you?"
"I think you would tell me," Aragorn replied, smiling at the elven sorceress, "if I didn't have to speak to the king."
She stepped forward and kissed his cheek, whispering, "I'm glad you are safe."
Aragorn entered into the throne room, and all conversation ceased. Nira, Legolas, and Gimli followed him.
"Your majesty," Aragorn said, "A great host of orcs and Uruk-hai are heading toward Helm's Deep as we speak."
"A great host you say," king said, "How many?"
"Ten thousand strong at least," Aragorn replied.
"Ten thousand?"
"It is an army bred for a single purpose: to destroy the world of Men. They will be here by nightfall."
Théoden, Aragorn, Nira, Legolas, and Gimli walked to the front doors investigating preparations for the coming battle.
"We will cover the causeway and gate from above," the king stated. "No army has ever breached the Deeping Wall, or set foot inside the Hornburg."
"This is no rabble of mindless orcs," Gimli said. "These are Uruk-hai. Their armor is thick and their shields, broad."
"I have fought many wars, Master Dwarf. I know how to defend my own Keep."
"How can you know when you do not know what you fight?" Nira asked.
"War is the same no matter who you fight."
They followed his lead around the fortress. He shouted orders, making sure everything was in order for the attack. They walked over the top of the wall.
"They will break upon this fortress like water on rock. Sauron's hoards will pillage and burn. We've seen it before. Crops can be re-sown, homes rebuilt. Within these walls, we will outlast them."
"They do not come to destroy crops and villages like in times of old," Nira snapped. "They come for people, men, women, children."
"What would you have me do, woman?"
"What is it with people having problems with women fighting? I have fought in my share of battles."
"Call for aid," Aragorn interrupted.
"Who will come? We are alone."
The king turned and walked away, snapping orders.
Up next: the battle at Helms Deep. I love review. They make me update faster.